Ducks Unlimited applauds improvements in Great Lakes funding

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Aug. 2, 2013 – Ducks Unlimited appreciates the passage of an amendment to provide $210 million to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) program. Previously a subcommittee had reduced funding for the successful program to $60 million.

"We're grateful for the leadership of Rep. David Joyce (R-Ohio) and Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.)," said Becky Humphries, director of DU's Great Lakes and Atlantic office. "The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is making real changes in the region, changes that improve recreation for sportsmen and women, but also by providing cleaner water, more habitat and improved economic outcomes."

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations was able to approve the funding for the federal program via an offset from fees collected from extending the selloff of helium rights.

GLRI is a federal program designed to target the most significant problems in the Great Lakes ecosystem, including habitat conservation, invasive aquatic species, non-point source pollution and contaminated sediment.

"The improvement to the GLRI appropriation is an important step forward," Humphries said. "But we'll continue to work with legislators to get back to the $300 million level. This program is an important piece of conservation in the Great Lakes for Ducks Unlimited and our members."

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 13 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our work, visit www.ducks.org. Connect with us on our Facebook page at facebook.com/DucksUnlimited, follow our tweets at twitter.com/DucksUnlimited and watch DU videos at youtube.com/DucksUnlimitedInc.